Passenger Rail, Market Sectors

Canberrans looking forward to a light rail extension

Canberra light rail. Graphic: ACT Government

Canberra’s light rail will soon be extended with a number of additional stops, after the first six months of the service were labelled a success.

“More than 15,000 people use light rail every day with patronage at levels not expected until 2021. In the past six months we have recorded over 2.2 million light rail passenger trips,” said ACT’s Minister for Transport Chris Steel.

Canberra Metro Operations conducted a customer satisfaction survey which showed that over 90% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service. The survey also found that 94% of respondents were satisfied with the light rail’s punctuality. Of those who responded, 45% used the service daily and 72% used it weekly.

“We want to build on the success of stage one to bring light rail to Woden, making it easier for Canberrans to get around our city.”

Work towards the light rail stage 2A extension, from the City to Commonwealth Park, is expected to begin next year with three additional stops announced.

“[This] will mean better connectivity for more Canberrans,” said Steel.

“By starting the work on stage 2A now, we are capitalising on the jobs and expertise developed through the stage one construction phase as we continue to work with the Commonwealth Government on the necessary approvals for light rail to progress through the Parliamentary Triangle to Woden.”